FALLEN FROM FAVOUR Take Rhododendrons, for example. When they produce their blousy blooms, usually in spring, these woody shrubs are spectacular. But they demand space, the rigid form isn’ t quite right for a naturalistic style and they require acidic soil, which might not suit perennials. To cap it all, their flowering season is short.
New cultivars have resulted in a wide range of sizes and flower colours, and they are still loved in regions where the soil is suitable. A walk through a Rhododendron glade during spring is difficult to beat, but there are a limited number being purchased today, compared to 40 years ago.
Hydrangea paniculata with cone- shaped flowers
RHODODENDRONS ARE LESS POPULAR THAN THEY USED TO BE
Heather comes with a similar story. These lowmaintenance evergreens should be adored for their brilliant flower colour and their ability to attract pollinators across a wide range of seasons. By using different varieties of Erica, it’ s possible to have heather in flower every month. But back in the 1970s, this sub-shrub was frequently planted in dwarf conifer gardens and then left to its own devices. Over time, they have become woody and sprawling. Stuck in a time warp, over half of Erica cultivars are said to be“ at risk” because few people want them.
Chrysanthemums flower in late summer and will keep going until the first frosts, so what’ s not to love? The problem seems to be that many people associate them with funerals and cheap supermarket bouquets. They have yet to stage a comeback, although some believe newer cultivars will transform their image. Incorporated into a border, they have a lot to offer. Let’ s hope they enjoy a popularity revival in the same way that dahlias are finding a route back into the hearts of UK garden lovers.
Comeback queens Around 25 years ago, Hydrangeas had fallen out of favour. But breeders concentrated on producing stout stems and colour-changing flowers and the paniculata varieties were rediscovered. Newer cultivars have improved this attractive shrub, which brings late-season interest and the most amazing flowers which vary widely in shape and colour across different cultivars. Paniculata and arborescens varieties thrive in full sun and easily fit into contemporary planting schemes, especially when used en masse.
HEATHER VARIETIES CAN FLOWER IN MANY DIFFERENT SEASONS
The moral of the tale is not to undervalue older varieties of plants. You can be ahead of the next trend by reinventing the way you use plants in your garden. Before long, the neighbours might be copying you!